5,343 research outputs found
On the origin dependence of multipole moments in electromagnetism
The standard description of material media in electromagnetism is based on
multipoles. It is well known that these moments depend on the point of
reference chosen, except for the lowest order. It is shown that this "origin
dependence" is not unphysical as has been claimed in the literature but forms
only part of the effect of moving the point of reference. When also the
complementary part is taken into account then different points of reference
lead to different but equivalent descriptions of the same physical reality.
This is shown at the microscopic as well as at the macroscopic level. A similar
interpretation is valid regarding the "origin dependence" of the reflection
coefficients for reflection on a semi infinite medium. We show that the
"transformation theory" which has been proposed to remedy this situation (and
which is thus not needed) is unphysical since the transformation considered
does not leave the boundary conditions invariant.Comment: 14 pages, 0 figure
An approach to nonstandard quantum mechanics
We use nonstandard analysis to formulate quantum mechanics in
hyperfinite-dimensional spaces. Self-adjoint operators on
hyperfinite-dimensional spaces have complete eigensets, and bound states and
continuum states of a Hamiltonian can thus be treated on an equal footing. We
show that the formalism extends the standard formulation of quantum mechanics.
To this end we develop the Loeb-function calculus in nonstandard hulls. The
idea is to perform calculations in a hyperfinite-dimensional space, but to
interpret expectation values in the corresponding nonstandard hull. We further
apply the framework to non-relativistic quantum scattering theory. For
time-dependent scattering theory, we identify the starting time and the
finishing time of a scattering experiment, and we obtain a natural separation
of time scales on which the preparation process, the interaction process, and
the detection process take place. For time-independent scattering theory, we
derive rigorously explicit formulas for the M{\o}ller wave operators and the
S-Matrix
Embodied choices bypass narratives under radical uncertainty.
Johnson et al. suggest that we rely on narratives to make choices under radical uncertainty. We argue that in its current version Conviction Narrative Theory (CNT) does not account for embodied, direct sensorimotor influences on choices under radical uncertainty that may bypass narratives, particularly in highly time-constrained situations. We therefore suggest to extend CNT by an embodied choice perspective
Incorporating genome-scale tools for studying energy homeostasis
Mammals have evolved complex regulatory systems that enable them to maintain energy homeostasis despite constant environmental challenges that limit the availability of energy inputs and their composition. Biological control relies upon intricate systems composed of multiple organs and specialized cell types that regulate energy up-take, storage, and expenditure. Because these systems simultaneously perform diverse functions and are highly integrated, they are extremely difficult to understand in terms of their individual component contributions to energy homeostasis. In order to provide improved treatments and clinical options, it is important to identify the principle genetic and molecular components, as well as the systemic features of regulation. To begin, many of these features can be discovered by integrating experimental technologies with advanced methods of analysis. This review focuses on the analysis of transcriptional data derived from microarrays and how it can complement other experimental techniques to study energy homeostasis
How Sense of Belonging Impacts Student Retention: Examining the Experience of First-Generation Latino/a/x Students Attending PWIs
Latinx students’ admission rates have increased in most recent years however, Latinx
students still have the lowest degree attainment compared to other ethnic/racial groups (Rodriguez et al., 2021). Research reveals sense of belonging has an impact on retention for first- generation Latino/a/x students attending Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). Latinx students gain sense of belonging through the support of their peers, faculty, and the institution’s commitment to providing safe campus spaces. The primary purpose of this project is to understand the challenges first-generation Latinx students face and where institutions can provide resources like peer mentor programs to close the degree attainment gap. By having a better understanding of Latinx experiences on campus and where they gain a sense of belonging, institutions can better identify strategies to assist them better. The suggested peer mentor program can help foster a better experience for Latinx students and provide support to achieve their intended degrees
Let’s do the time warp again – embodied learning of the concept of time in an applied school setting
This article has been accepted for publication in Interactive Learning Environments, published by Taylor & Francis.
Embodied Cognition approaches suggest that movements influence the understanding of abstract concepts such as time. It follows that moving the arms as watch hands should boost children’s learning to read the clock. In a school setting, we compared three learning conditions: an embodied (movement) condition, an interactive App condition, and a text condition. Age, self-reported enjoyment, and group size were controlled. In a clock-time-test, the embodied condition resulted in better performances than the mean of the other conditions in small, but not in large groups. This innovative, theory-informed approach may advance learning of abstract concepts in children
Electromagnetic multipole theory for optical nanomaterials
Optical properties of natural or designed materials are determined by the
electromagnetic multipole moments that light can excite in the constituent
particles. In this work we present an approach to calculate the multipole
excitations in arbitrary arrays of nanoscatterers in a dielectric host medium.
We introduce a simple and illustrative multipole decomposition of the electric
currents excited in the scatterers and link this decomposition to the classical
multipole expansion of the scattered field. In particular, we find that
completely different multipoles can produce identical scattered fields. The
presented multipole theory can be used as a basis for the design and
characterization of optical nanomaterials
Spatial distances affect temporal prediction and interception.
The more distant two consecutive stimuli are presented, the longer the temporal interstimulus interval (ISI) between their presentations is perceived (kappa effect). The present study aimed at testing whether the kappa effect not only affects perceptual estimates of time, but also motor action, more specifically, interception. In a first step, the original kappa paradigm was adapted to assess the effect in temporal prediction. Second, the task was further modified to an interception task, requiring participants to spatially and temporally predict and act. In two online experiments, a white circle was successively presented at three locations moving from left to right with constant spatial and temporal ISIs in between. Participants were asked to either (i) indicate the time of appearance of the predicted fourth stimulus (Exp. 1) or to (ii) intercept the predicted fourth location at the correct time (Exp. 2). In both experiments the temporal response depended on the spatial intervals. In line with the kappa effect, participants predicted the final stimulus to appear later (Exp. 1) or intercepted it later (Exp. 2), the more distant the stimuli were presented. Together, these results suggest that perceptual biases such as the kappa effect impact motor interception performance. [Abstract copyright: © 2022. The Author(s).
Small-scale opencast mining: an important research field for anthropogenic geomorphology
Artisanal and small-scale mining (A&SM) is a growing economic sector in many third-world countries. This review focuses on anthropo-geomorphic factors and processes associated with small-scale opencast mining (SSOM), a form of A&SM in which near-surface ores are extracted by removing relatively thin covers of soil, bedrock or sediments. Being widespread and commonly conducted without proper planning and beyond the control of local authorities, this form of mining has potentially large impacts on landforms and landscape dynamics, often resulting in drastic consequences for the local environment and agriculture. SSOM should be regarded as a component of anthropogenic geomorphology because it involves the role of humans in creating landforms and modifying the operation of natural geomorphological processes, such as weathering, erosion, transport and deposition. By initiating new and modifying natural geomorphic processes, SSOM causes and/or accelerates geomorphic processes, resulting in various forms of land degradation. While the direct geomorphic impact of SSOM is in general easily discernible and leads to characteristic features, such as excavated pits and overburden spoil heaps, many secondary impacts are attributed to geomorphic processes triggered in the wake of the primary mining-induced landscape alterations. The magnitude of such secondary implications may well extend beyond the actual mining areas, but these effects have not been thoroughly addressed in the research so far. This review summarizes the known studies on the geomorphic impacts of SSOM operations and highlights common geomorphic processes and landforms associated with this type of anthropogenic activity, thus establishing a starting point for further in-depth research
Genetic structure of the threatened West-Pannonian population of Great Bustard (Otis tarda).
The genetic diversity, population structure and gene flow of the Great Bustards (Otis tarda) living in Austria-Slovakia-West Hungary (West-Pannonian region), one of the few populations of this globally threatened species that survives across the Palaearctic, has been assessed for the first time in this study. Fourteen recently developed microsatellite loci identified one single population in the study area, with high values of genetic diversity and gene flow between two different genetic subunits. One of these subunits (Heideboden) was recognized as a priority for conservation, as it could be crucial to maintain connectivity with the central Hungarian population and thus contribute to keeping contemporary genetic diversity. Current conservation efforts have been successful in saving this threatened population from extinction two decades ago, and should continue to guarantee its future survival
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